(Washington, D.C.) -The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) —a broad-based collaborative alliance among industry, academia, and government to raise awareness of optics, photonics and quantum science and technology—applauded bipartisan passage of the National Quantum Initiative Act in the House of Representatives today. The NQI Act, H.R. 6227, was unanimously approved by voice vote.
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(Washington, D.C.) - The National Photonics Initiative (NPI)—a broad-based collaborative alliance among industry, academia, and government to raise awareness of optics, photonics and quantum science and technology—is praising a bipartisan vote in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to advance S. 3143, The National Quantum Initiative Act. The Committee unanimously voted to report the NQI Act, with important changes suggested by the NPI to enhance the bill’s effectiveness, to the chamber floor. The Senate Committee action follows bipartisan approval of similar legislation in the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology in June.
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(Washington, D.C.) - The National Photonics Initiative (NPI)--a broad-based collaborative alliance among industry, academia, and government to raise awareness of optics, photonics and quantum science and technology--and a group of industry and university stakeholders today wrote to Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in praise of The National Quantum Initiative Act. The NQI Act would create a comprehensive and coordinated national policy to encourage quantum research and technology and establish a workforce capable of transforming that work into real world applications. It does not, however, include authorization for research activities at the Department of Energy (DOE), an issue the NPI and stakeholders encouraged lawmakers to address.
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(Washington, D.C.) -The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), a broad-based collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of optics, photonics and quantum science and technology, is praising the introduction of bipartisan quantum legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate today by Chairman John Thune (R-SD) and Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The National Quantum Initiative Act would create a comprehensive national policy to encourage quantum research and technology and help establish a workforce capable of transforming that work into real world applications. The Senate version of the NQI Act largely mirrors a version approved by the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology earlier today, although does not include support for activities within the Department of Energy.
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(Washington, D.C.) - The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), a broad-based collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of optics, photonics and quantum science and technology, commended the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology for approving the National Quantum Initiative Act, H.R. 6227, with bipartisan support in a committee markup today. The legislation will create a comprehensive national policy to encourage quantum research and technology and help establish a workforce capable of transforming that work into real world applications. An amendment to promote access to existing quantum computing and communication systems for users was added during markup, a provision called for by the NPI and supported by the stakeholder community in a letter to committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) earlier this week.
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(Washington, D.C.) - The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), a collaborative alliance among industry, academia, and government to raise awareness of optics and photonics – the science and application of light – commends the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and its Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) for releasing today an outline of the National Quantum Initiative Act of 2018. The goal of the legislation is to transform quantum research into real world applications that will stimulate economic growth and keep pace with accelerating global competitiveness. The legislation is expected to be formally introduced and considered in the Science Committee this month.
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(Washington, D.C.) - The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), a collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of optics and photonics – the science and application of light, today applauded the Senate Armed Services Committee for including additional resources to support quantum technology research in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019.
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(Washington, D.C.) - The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), a collaborative alliance among industry, academia and government to raise awareness of optics photonics – the science and application of light, was represented in a hearing today before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection. Dr. Christopher Monroe, Chief Scientist and Founder, IonQ, and Professor of Physics at the University of Maryland, testified during today’s “Disruptor Series” on quantum computing about the need for a National Quantum Initiative (NQI) to facilitate growth in the U.S. economy, meet our nation’s pressing communications and security challenges, and maintain our position as a global leader in quantum innovation. This is the second time Monroe has testified before Congress on the subject of quantum technology. He previously appeared before the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology in October 2017.
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(Washington, D.C.) - The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) today praised passage of H.R. 1625, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, an omnibus spending bill that increases federal funding for research and development in several key agencies and departments, and urged President Trump to sign it into law.
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(Washington, D.C.) - The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) is mourning the passing of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) who was a longtime advocate for photonics research. As a scientist herself, Congresswoman Slaughter fully appreciated the impact of the science and research community on our nation’s ability to innovate and grow.
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The University of Oregon and the National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, today welcomed US Congressman and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) to campus to tour the Center for Optical, Molecular and Quantum Science and see first-hand the value of photonics and quantum physics to existing, new and future infrastructure.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry, academia and government to raise awareness of optics and photonics – the science and application of light, released the following statement on behalf of NPI Steering Committee Chair Ed White in response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address:
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, today applauded a recent study entitled “Opportunities in Intense Ultrafast Lasers: Reaching for the Brightest Light” by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS) that was conducted at the request of the Department of Energy, the Office of Naval Research and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research to evaluate the current state of and future opportunities for high intensity ultrafast lasers and laser technologies, and assess the value of future high intensity laser science programs and facilities to the nation’s scientific research, security and economy.
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The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology and Subcommittee on Energy today held a joint hearing, “American Leadership in Quantum Technology,” featuring testimony from experts including Dr. Christopher Monroe, professor of physics at the University of Maryland and founder and chief scientist at IonQ, Inc., who testified on behalf of the National Photonics Initiative (NPI) – an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics.
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(Tucson, AZ) – The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, and Edmund Optics (EO), the premier provider of optical components, today welcomed US Congresswoman Martha McSally (R-AZ) to the company’s Tucson Research and Design Center to showcase Southern Arizona’s strength in optics and photonics – the science and application of light.
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WASHINGTON, DC – August 1, 2017 – Today, the National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, formally announced that Edward (“Ed”) White, associate vice president of Test, Assembly and Packaging and corporate outreach for AIM Photonics, will succeed Alan Willner as chair of the NPI Steering Committee. White, who has served on the NPI Steering Committee since December 2015, will assume his new role as chair effective immediately.
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WASHINGTON, DC – July 14, 2017 – The leadership of the National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, released the following statement today in support of two amendments – one amendment introduced by Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and another amendment by Reps. Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) – included in the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Friday:
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WASHINGTON, DC – June 15, 2017 – The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry, academia and government to raise awareness of photonics, today released the following statement from the NPI’s Steering Committee Chair Alan Willner in support of the administration’s “Workforce Development Week”
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, released the following statement today in response to the release of President Trump’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget proposal:
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The leadership of the National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, released the following statement today in support of H.R. 244 - the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017:
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, today applauded the US House of Representative for passing by unanimous consent S. 3084, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act – a bill to invest in innovation and improve United States competitiveness through research and development. The bill includes a provision that calls on federal science agencies, industry, and academia to seek partnerships to advance optics and photonics technologies and capabilities. Earlier in the month, the US Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent; it now awaits President Obama’s signature.
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Washington, DC— December 7, 2016 — The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, today commended the US Senate for passage of H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act — a bill that will provide $1.8 billion, including $1 billion over the next three years, to support Vice President Biden's Cancer Moonshot and $1.5 billion in support of the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative.
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Washington, DC – December 5, 2016 – The National Photonics Initiative, an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, today applauded the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee for passing S. 3084, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act – a bill to invest in innovation and improve United States competitiveness through research and development. The bill includes a provision that calls on federal science agencies, industry, and academia to seek partnerships to advance optics and photonics technologies and capabilities.
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The National Photonics Initiative, an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, today commended the US House of Representatives for passage of H.R. 34, the 21st Century Cures Act — a bill that provides $4.8 billion for the three key research programs over the next 10 years: Cancer Moonshot, the Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative, and the Precision Medicine Initiative.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, today unveiled a white paper and cancer technology road map that identifies the most promising existing and new technologies for increased and concerted private and public investment to achieve the goals of the National Cancer Moonshot – accelerate the early detection of cancer and save lives.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, today applauded Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD), Ranking Member Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Gary Peters (D-MI) for introducing S. 3084, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act – a bill to invest in innovation and improve United States competitiveness through research and development. The bill includes a provision that calls on federal science agencies, industry, and academia to seek partnerships to advance optics and photonics technologies and capabilities.
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Members of the National Photonics Initiative (NPI) High Power Lasers (HPL) Task Force, comprised of leading defense contractors, commercial laser companies and academia, today announced recommendations to improve US defense operations and regain our nation’s manufacturing stronghold. The recommendations, unveiled in conjunction with today’s Directed Energy Summit in Washington, DC, call for the establishment of a directed energy program office that will serve to coordinate US manufacturing of high power lasers.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, recently convened participants from across government and the photonics community for a successful discussion on progress on the President’s Brain Research through Advancing Innovating Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, today celebrated the discovery of gravitational waves arising from a binary black hole merger as observed by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO). Confirming Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, this discovery – one of the most significant in physics within the last century – was made possible by the creation of photonics-enabled ultra-precise laser-based interferometers used to measure gravitational waves. The advanced LIGO instrument is capable of making the most precise distance measurements ever recorded; it can detect the change in spacing between two mirrors separated by over 2.5 miles to a precision of much less than one trillionth the diameter of a human hair.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, today congratulated Takaaki Kajita, this year’s winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, and NPI Photonics Industry Neuroscience Group member Hamamatsu on the technology it contributed to Kajita’s Nobel Prize-winning research.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) congratulates SUNY Polytechnic Institute and other members of the New York consortium on their selection as the country’s first Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation (IP-IMI). Proposed as part of President Obama’s National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI), the IP-IMI was established to bring government, industry and academia together to advance state-of-the-art photonics technology and better position the United States relative to global competition in this critical field.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), a collaborative alliance seeking to raise awareness of photonics and increase US funding and investment in key photonics-driven fields, today commended the three consortiums led by University of Central Florida, University of Southern California and the Research Foundation for the State University of New York selected by the US Department of Defense (DOD) to submit full proposals to secure the Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation (IP-IMI). Finalists were selected from respondents to a November 2014 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to support the establishment of an IP-IMI that will advance the state-of-the-art in the design, manufacture, testing, assembly, and packaging of complex photonic integrated circuits that combine a variety of photonic and electronic components to achieve functionality. The NPI is not endorsing a specific IP-IMI proposal but is strongly committed to supporting the DOD’s ultimate selection.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, applauded today’s Funding Opportunity Announcement(FOA) issued by the US Department of Defense (DOD) , through the Air Force Research Laboratory, calling for concept papers for the establishment of an Integrated Photonics Institute for Manufacturing Innovation (IP-IMI).
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) attracted a full house of over 100 attendees,
to The Optical Society of Southern California‘s (OSSC) first meeting of the 2014 - 15 term. The most attended meeting to date embodied the enthusiasm for the initiative not only in number, but also in diversity of attendees. Nicolaus Lambert, V. P. of Engineering at Precision Optical, welcomed members of the optics and photonics industry, scientists, students, and local elected government officials to a meeting truly celebrating “the power of the photon.”
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Leaders of the National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, praised news that President Barack Obama will today unveil a new competition to award more than $200 million in public and private investment to create an Integrated Photonics Manufacturing Institute. The announcement will be formally made as part of the President and US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker’s address at Millennium Steel in Princeton, Ind. in support of National Manufacturing Day.
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Leaders of the National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, launched its Photonics Industry Neuroscience Group alongside officials from the White House Office of Science and Technology (OSTP) in conjunction with today's White House BRAIN Initiative conference. Members of the NPI industry group are committing to invest upwards of $30 million in existing and future research and development spending over the next three years to advance optics and photonics technology in support of the White House Brain Research through Advancing Imaging Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), an alliance of top scientific societies uniting industry and academia to raise awareness of photonics, is greatly encouraged by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) recent identification of optics and photonics research and education as a key area of interest. Charged with keeping the US at the leading edge of discovery across a broad scope of scientific areas, the NSF is calling for innovative research proposals on optics and photonics that are relevant to one or more Divisions in the Directorates for Engineering (ENG), Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MPS), or Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE).
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI) today applauded the US Department of Defense’s (DoD) Request for Information (RFI) that would include photonics among the key technologies that could become the foundation for a new Institute for Manufacturing Innovation (IMI) within the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). The NPI, a collaborative alliance of top scientific societies seeking to raise awareness of the importance of photonics and drive US private and federal investments in key photonics-driven fields, had been pushing for this step by DoD.
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The National Photonics Initiative (NPI), a collaborative alliance seeking to raise awareness of photonics and drive US funding and investment in key photonics-driven fields, today applauded a report prepared by the Fast-Track Action Committee on Optics and Photonics (FTAC-OP) for the Committee on Science of National Science and Technology Council that outlined opportunities for federal investment and interagency cooperation in basic and early applied research in optics and photonics.
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Today, Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) toured Directed Light Inc. to see first-hand the impact of photonics on San Jose, the state and the nation. During the site visit, the congressman met with employees, local business leaders and researchers to discuss the benefits of photonics and the role that Directed Light plays in solving the challenges of a modern world by harnessing the power of light.
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Today, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) and the Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster – a nonprofit organization promoting and enhancing the regional photonics, optics and imaging industry – co-hosted an event at the Rochester Museum & Science Center highlighting the economic importance of optics and photonics to Rochester and the state of New York. Through the National Photonics Initiative (NPI), the Rochester Regional Photonics Cluster is taking a leadership role in raising awareness about photonics and uniting academia, industry and government experts to identify and advance areas of photonics critical to maintaining US competitiveness.
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Today, Rep. Ron Barber (D-AZ) toured the University of Arizona’s College of Optical Sciences and learned about the myriad technologies and job opportunities the science and application of light makes possible. During his visit, the congressman met with students, faculty and local business leaders to discuss the benefits of photonics and the role that the University of Arizona is playing in solving the challenges of a modern world by harnessing the power of light.
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In a landmark decision, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released a recommendation strongly endorsing low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans for patients at high risk for lung cancer. CT scans can be used both to detect suspicious lung nodules as well as to determine which nodules are growing at a rate consistent with the behavior of an aggressive lung cancer.
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The American Physical Society (APS), IEEE Photonics Society, Laser Institute of America (LIA), the Optical Society (OSA) and SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, today announced the launch of the National Photonics Initiative (NPI), a collaborative alliance
seeking to unite industry, academia and government experts to identify and advance areas of photonics critical to maintaining US competitiveness and national security.

(Washington, D.C.) -The National Photonics Initiative (NPI)--a broad-based collaborative alliance among industry, academia, and government to raise awareness of optics, photonics and quantum science and technology— is commending the U.S. House of Representatives for approving the final version of the National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Act, H.R. 6227. The Senate passed the legislation last week and it will now head to President Trump for his signature.